First Eid al-Fitr feast at Case Western Reserve University will mark end of Ramadan

News Release: August 30, 2011

For the first time, Case Western Reserve University’s Hallinan Project for Peace and Social Justice, the Share-the-Vision committee, and the Muslim Student Association will celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The university community will gather on Thursday, Sept. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Hvorka Atrium in the Agnar Pytte Science Center, 2074 Adelbert Road.

“We understand the communal aspects of one’s commitment to the Ramadan fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim religious community, such as empathy for the poor, charity and generosity, steadfastness, patience, self-evaluation, closeness to God, and family,” said Alice Bach, Hallinan Professor of Catholic Studies and director of the Hallinan Project for Peace and Social Justice. “We wish to highlight both the rituals and cultures of our own diverse CWRU Muslim community through this central feast of the Muslim calendar.”

The Eid al-Fitr is a joyous time of thanksgiving for Muslims. On this day, Muslims celebrate their health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them so that they may fulfill their obligations of fasting and other good deeds during Ramadan.

Because many of the university’s Muslim students will be celebrating the first night of the Eid with family and their religious communities, the university will celebrate Eid on the final night of the feast.

Organizers expect non-Muslim students and faculty to join Muslim students, staff and faculty at the celebration, which will include a bounty of Middle Eastern foods.

For information, contact Bach at 216.761.7227 or email alice.bach@case.edu.